This week's edition of our newsletter aims to clear up misconceptions about H.R. 1, or the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. As your representative, I want to make sure you have the facts. I'll be breaking down what H.R. 1 actually does, what’s true and what’s not, and how it impacts you and your family.

One of the concerns I've heard from constituents is that work—or community engagement requirements—are unfair because not everyone can find a job. Most Americans agree that Medicaid should be there for the people who truly need it—like children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. That's why this bill encourages able-bodied adults without dependents to participate in community engagement requirements. H.R. 1 doesn't take health care away from anyone, but it asks those who can contribute to do so to ensure Medicaid is sustainable.

These requirements were designed with flexibility in mind, and people will have the option to work, participate in job training programs, volunteer, or take classes. This isn't an attempt to restrict Medicaid. By encouraging community engagement, we can help people take positive steps forward, prepare for the workforce, and contribute to our communities. H.R. 1 offers a flexible and thoughtful way to keep Medicaid strong while making sure no one is left behind.

Finding a job can be difficult, and in places with high unemployment, it's important community engagement requirements are reasonable. That's why H.R. 1 includes a hardship waiver for people living in counties with an unemployment rate above 8%. Based on current numbers, every county in CA-22 would qualify for this exemption. This waiver is important because it takes real-life situations into account, and if someone is trying to work but opportunities are limited, they won't be required to. It's also worth noting that community engagement requirements only apply to able-bodied adults without dependents. The legislation also includes exemptions for individuals that face additional hardships, including a job loss or health challenge.

Another concern I've heard from constituents is that H.R. 1 will cause people to lose their Medicaid coverage because of extra paperwork. This bill simply asks individuals—primarily the Medicaid "expansion population" recipients who joined the program after passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010—to confirm their information twice per year. This is a modest change from the current once per year requirement to ensure that ineligible recipients do not continue to receive benefits intended for vulnerable populations.

Right now, there are cases where people remain on Medicaid years after they are no longer eligible for the program, including changes to their employment that includes access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Regular check-ins help prevent this kind of error and ensures we're using taxpayer dollars wisely.

Protecting healthcare access in the Central Valley has been one of my top priorities throughout the budget reconciliation process. Over the past six months, I have met with local healthcare providers, constituents, and congressional colleagues to make sure H.R. 1 worked for our rural and critical access hospitals.

Earlier this Congress, members were considering several Medicaid reforms that would have put healthcare access in CA-22 at serious risk. Some of the changes discussed included lowering California’s federal Medicaid match rate—meaning the federal government would reimburse our state less for every dollar spent on care. Other proposals would have capped the amount of federal funding the state receives per patient, forcing California to carry even more of the financial burden. These changes would have devastated access to care in the Valley and I was successful in pushing back against their inclusion in the final bill.

I made my concerns about the provider tax and state directed payments provisions in the bill clear to my colleagues and the administration. After numerous conversation, an additional $25 billion was added to the newly established Rural Health Transformation Program—which will help support rural and other at-risk hospitals in my district—bringing the total to $50 billion. I’ve been assured by the administration that this program will be structured to directly benefit communities like ours and will also be working closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure CA-22 hospitals can continue to serve our communities.

During the Biden Administration, a rule was introduced that would force every nursing home to have a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—no matter the size of the facility or the number of patients. For many smaller nursing homes, those rules are impossible to meet. Across the country we already have a shortage of nurses, and in rural communities, it's even harder to meet bureaucratic staffing standards. This Biden-era rule has lead to fewer nursing homes being able to take on new patients, and in some cases, has shut them down completely.

H.R. 1 included a 10-year delay in implementation for this staffing mandate to ensure our nursing homes stay open and accessible. That means allowing other trained professionals, like licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants, to help fill gaps where needed. This flexibility is the key to keeping our seniors safe and cared for. Without it, hospitals would have nowhere to send older patients once they're ready to be discharged, creating more strain on the entire healthcare system. This bill helps protect the full circle of care and makes elderly care a priority. 

This week, Team Valadao attended the grand opening for Elevate Apartments. The 126-unit facility provides support services, such as housing and a 90-day program to assist residents in their transition to better living situations. In Delano, my team toured the Delano Senior Center which holds daily activities, classes, special events, and meals for seniors at no-cost. Also, my team met with the Kern Art Council to collaborate and plan future events for the community to continue to celebrate creativity and support artists. Team Valadao met with the Tulare County Child Abuse Prevention Council Executive Director and toured the Crossroads Pregnancy Center. They also presented a Congressional Certification to the Shafter Recreation and Park District, in recognition of receiving a safety award at the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts 2025 Conference. Later in the week, my team attended the Boys and Girls Club Summer Jobs Program Graduation Dinner to celebrate their summer interns. The Boys and Girls Club Summer Job Program provides workforce development training through local partnerships and professional development activities. My team also met with Grace Huerta from the Exceptional Family Center, and toured the facility. The Exceptional Family Center assists families of children with developmental disabilities and provides tools and resources to help them succeed. 

Trying to get an answer from a federal agency can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you ever need help navigating a federal agency, you can visit my website here or call my Hanford office at (559) 460-6070. My team is ready to assist you!

Tratar de obtener una respuesta de una agencia federal a menudo puede ser un proceso frustrante y que requiere mucho tiempo. Si alguna vez necesita ayuda con una agencia federal, puede visitar mi sitio de web aquí o llamar a mi oficina de Hanford al (559) 460-6070. ¡Mi equipo está listo para ayudarte!

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